When you live in a tower on a hill that only others on the hill can enter you only care about that hill. You will make sure those people on that hill are cared for and share all the rewards life has to offer. Those at the bottom of hill are too far away see and therefore of no consequence.

Politicians are paid exorbitant salaries and perks to make decisions for the benefit of all their subjects. Including the well-being of he economy that these subjects rely on to feed their families. It's easy to close down the economy, but what about the consequences of doing so?